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Visit Sunshine Coast Industry Recovery Portal

All the tools, resources and programs for tourism operators and small businesses

The impact COVID-19 has had on our region’s tourism industry is unprecedented, and to date, Visit Sunshine Coast’s (VSC) focus has been firmly on survival.

While we don’t know when it will be safe to travel again, we do know the upturn of this crisis will inevitably come and as an industry we must be prepared to react immediately to the market when restrictions ease.

VSC’s new Industry Recovery Portal is focused on taking that next step towards recovery, sharing the tools you need to grow, develop and bolster your business so you are fully prepared to welcome visitors again when the time is right.

From free online courses designed to take your marketing to the next level, resources on using social media to your advantage and tips for putting together a winning PR pitch, this portal is designed to be your one-stop-shop to initiate change and prepare to accelerate your business in to the market post COVID-19.

Information on stimulus packages and government incentive programs remains available on the Team Sunshine Coast COVID-19 page allowing you to navigate the options for your business and help you get through COVID-19.

As well as these pages, we encourage you to stay across our Visit Sunshine Coast Corporate Facebook, Twitter and weekly newsletters, and if you have any additional questions or thoughts, to get in touch with our Industry and Membership Development Manager Andrew Fairbairn.

1. GENERAL BUSINESS

Local Government Support

Sunshine Coast Council – Professional Advice Support Program https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Business/Business-Programs/Professional-Advice-Support-Program

Noosa Council https://www.noosa.qld.gov.au/business-covid-19
Gympie Regional Council https://www.gympie.qld.gov.au/support-for-business

Cash Flow Resources

Support for immediate cash flow needs for SMEs – under the Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme, the Australian Government will provide a guarantee of 50% to support short-term loans.

Business Mentoring Program

One of the Sunshine Coast Chamber Alliance strategic priorities is the development of small and medium businesses on the Sunshine Coast to fulfill their true potential. Application for business mentoring program https://businessmentoring.sunshinecoastchamberalliance.com.au/

HR / Supporting Staff

Casual employees – The Australian Government is making support payments quicker to access by waiving the usual waiting period periods for casual employees.
Jobs support loans – This scheme is for Queensland businesses and non-profit organisations financially affected by COVID-19. Eligible business types include sole traders, partnerships, private and public companies and trusts.

Fair Work Australia –workplace obligations and entitlements – Help and advice for employers and employees with entitlements during this time.

Tax, bill and rent relief

SME power bill relief – Small and medium businesses may be eligible for $500 rebate off their energy bill.
Payroll tax relief package – payroll tax relief measures from Queensland Government including refunds of payroll tax and payroll tax holiday and deferrals.

Sole Traders Support

Additional Information for Sole Traders – Increased instant asset write off and accelerated depreciation measures for sole traders, as well as increased and accelerated income support payments for sole traders and employees

Financial support for businesses (Australian Taxation Office)

A wide range of measures aimed at supporting businesses impacted by coronavirus visit the ATO website. Businesses impacted by coronavirus can phone the ATO Emergency Support Infoline on 1800 806 218

2. MARKETING

6 proactive strategies for businesses (Free downloadable report) – The report outlines key strategies to improve their marketing during the downturn, ready for their revival. https://www.tourismtribe.com/product/six-proactive-strategies-for-tourism-businesses-in-the-2020-economic-downturn/

Tourism e-School – COVID-19 Immediate Response Action Plan for Tourism Businesses – https://tourismeschool.com/blog/covid-19-immediate-response-tourism-businesses/

The Big Marketing Guide covers everything you need to know to successfully market your business to consumers, media and the tourism industry. The Big Marketing Guide has been developed by Tourism and Events Queensland specifically for Queensland tourism businesses. https://teq.queensland.com/industry-resources/how-to-guides/big-marketing-guide

Storytelling is a powerful tool that uses words and actions to reveal the elements and images of a story while encouraging the listener’s imagination. The story you share with your guests should be a memorable one. You want your story to be the first story every visitor tells when they get home or, even better, the story they share on social media. https://teq.queensland.com/industry-resources/how-to-guides/storytelling

Accreditation is increasingly becoming a necessity for businesses operating in the tourism industry. It is valued by operators, government, industry bodies and guests alike. https://www.qtic.com.au/industry-development/accreditation/

Tourism and Events Queensland, in partnership with Griffith University, has developed the Creating WOW Experiences video series and supporting worksheets to assist tourism operators to respond to increasing visitor demand for exciting, engaging and authentic experiences. https://teq.queensland.com/industry-resources/how-to-guides/experience-development

Need Destination Images?

Visit Sunshine Coast – https://teamsunshinecoast.com/toolkit/resources/image-library/ (Password: VSCmember)

Tourism & Events Queensland – https://visuals.queensland.com/

Tourism Australia – https://video.australia.com/

3. DIGITAL / ONLINE

TOURISM AUSTRALIA – Using Social Media – Getting the most out of your own social media channels. https://www.tourism.australia.com/en/events-and-tools/industry-resources/building-your-tourism-business/using-social-media.html

FACEBOOK BLUEPRINT MARKETING – Build your digital marketing knowledge, boost your career and add value to your company with free online training, resources and certifications. https://en-gb.facebook.com/business/learn

TWITTER FLIGHT SCHOOL – online learning platform that teaches you everything you need to know about advertising on Twitter. http://twitterflightschool.com/

GOOGLE SKILLS SHOP – The one-stop shop for every kind of learner who wants to succeed with Google Professional tools and solutions. Includes Google Ads, Analystics Academy, You Tube, Google My Business and more. https://skillshop.exceedlms.com/student/catalog

6 PROACTIVE STEPS FOR TOURISM BUSINESSES (Free downloadable report) – The report outlines key strategies to improve their marketing during the downturn, ready for their revival. https://www.tourismtribe.com/product/six-proactive-strategies-for-tourism-businesses-in-the-2020-economic-downturn/

4. TRADE & INTERNATIONAL

TOURISM EXPORT TOOLKIT

Welcome to the Tourism Export Toolkit (TExT), your introductory guide to inbound tourism in Australia. This toolkit has been produced by the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) in partnership with Tourism Australia, and as a result of collaborative participation from all State and Territory Tourism Offices.

GETTING READY FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITORS

Develop your product for the international market. It takes time to establish and position your product in the international market and achieve a successful level of international sales. Your marketing strategies should be well-planned and incorporate a variety of activities that target both the international consumer and the travel trade.

https://www.tourism.australia.com/en/events-and-tools/industry-resources/building-your-tourism-business/getting-ready-for-international-visitors.html

WORKING WITH TOURISM AUSTRALIA

There are many ways you can connect with Tourism Australia to benefit from our campaign activity, research, market data and more to grow your tourism business. Download a copy of our Working with Tourism Australia booklet for more details.

MARKET REGIONS

Tourism Australia undertakes consumer marketing and industry development activity in 15 core markets. Use this tool to understand how to best target your desired international customer – https://www.tourism.australia.com/en/markets-and-stats/market-regions.html

5. PR &COMMUNICATIONS

Generating positive publicity is a vital component in establishing and maintaining your reputation. Publicity can create a powerful media endorsement that acts effectively as a word-of-mouth recommendation. Tourism Australia’s “Working with the Media” is a great place to start.

Tourism Australia produces a guide “Making a Splash Generating Publicity for Australia: A Practical Guide for Working with the Media” to help you respond to these questions
and to better understand how to generate publicity. It explains how the media works and how you can better promote your product or experience through a variety of media channels. The guide also provides an insight into Tourism Australia’s publicity programs and how you can be involved.

HOSTING INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Based on the principle that media can produce more motivating and detailed coverage if they actually experience a destination or product first hand, Tourism Australia works closely with the Australian tourism industry to host between 800 and 1,000 media representatives from almost 30 countries each year. These media representatives may arrive into Australia under our invitation or may be foreign correspondents or freelance journalists who are already based here. Our International Media Program provides opportunities for journalists to participate in the most inspiring Australian experiences. We try to ensure that they meet everyday Australians, that they immerse themselves in our lifestyle and that they revel in our culture and environment. Find out more about our international and domestic media hosting programs

6. BUSINESS / LEISURE EVENTS

The Queensland Events Guide has been designed to assist local organisers throughout an entire event lifecycle, to ensure they are equipped to stage the best event possible. https://teq.queensland.com/industry-resources/how-to-guides/queensland-events-guide

Join Regional Tourism Australia’s The Tourism Hub’s COVID-19 group for regular updates and discussions. If Facebook is your preferred medium, join our Regional Events Hub Facebook group for lively discussions with event peers.

And once you have the headspace to invest time into building your event management skills, check out rEVENTS Academy’s free resources to learn event management skills: the Talking Regional Tourism & Events podcast (such as talking risk management with Safety Net Consulting) or topics of interest in the rEVENTS Academy blog, such as how to increase your event’s economic impact and 7 ways to make sure your regional event is around for the long-term (under normal circumstances!)

https://reventsacademy.com/master-classes Help for regional events to talk out worries + issues, innovation + COVID response Event managers, coordinators and committees (and you, if you’d like!) can join regional event expert Linda Tillman of online event management training program rEVENTS Academy and regional tourism consultancy Tilma Group any Friday morning over the coming weeks for our free Friday chat about how events can bounce back.

7. STATISTICS AND VISITATION DATA

Tourism Research Australia – https://www.tra.gov.au/research

Tourism and Events Queensland – https://teq.queensland.com/research-and-insights

Australian Bureau of Statistics – http://www.abs.gov.au/Tourism-and-Transport

Sunshine Coast Regional Snapshot (YE December 2019)
This snapshot report provides an overview of visitors to the Sunshine Coast, with high-level details including where visitors came from, why they came and what they spent. Changes over time, drivers of change and insights into trends are also included. Download here – https://cdn1-teq.queensland.com/~/media/2ccf8d74de4d40858697d400d34fcad8.ashx?vs=1&d=20200217T164550

Sunshine Coast residents have their say on tourism
This fact sheet summarises the results of the Social Indicators Study 2019 conducted with Sunshine Coast residents to determine their perceptions of tourism in their community. Download here – https://cdn1-teq.queensland.com/~/media/edf642fda5e745f6822a4cc3d8b7f7cc.ashx?vs=1&d=20191024T122132

Interactive IVS/NVS Dashboard

The Tourism Data Explorer V2.5 is an interactive dashboard that provides users with access to International Visitor Survey (IVS) and National Visitor Survey (NVS) time series data for visitation and expenditure within Australia. – https://teq.queensland.com/research-and-insights/tourism-data-explorer

Domestic High Value Travellers

TEQ targets domestic travellers who will generate a disproportionate share of OVE for Queensland. Those identified as High Value Travellers (HVT’s) engage in domestic leisure travel, spend more than the average traveller on leisure trips, and are aligned to Queensland’s competitive offering, indicating they are interested in having the types of leisure experiences Queensland has to offer. https://teq.queensland.com/research-and-insights/domestic-research/understanding-high-value-travellers

8. SUSTAINABILITY

ecoBiz – https://ecobiz.cciq.com.au/

Business Energy Advice Program (BEAP) – https://businessenergyadvice.com.au/

8. HEALTH & WELLBEING

Queensland Health’s website has information on how to look after your mental wellbeing in a crisis.

Lifeline (Mental health and wellbeing) – phone 13 11 14

Beyondblue (Mental health and wellbeing) – phone 1300 224 636

Headspace (Youth mental health and wellbeing) – phone 1800 650 890

National Mental Health Commission https://www.mentalhealthcommission.gov.au/News/2020/March/COVID19-Mental-Health-Information

Accessing support and staying connected is really important during this time. We encourage you to seek further support should you need it.

Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Line 1800 512 348
Lifeline 13 11 14

Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
MensLine 1300 78 99 78
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467

Now is the time to engage with your local Chamber of Commerce / Tourism Organisation, click below to find out more:

Short Courses

During this period of encouraged hibernation, there is no better time to start learning, acquire a new skill, or up-skill your business. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the following organisations are offering a range of education and training to support individuals, small, medium and large businesses.

Online Webinars

Tourism Australia Weekly Webinars – HERE
Sunshine Coast Local Webinars – HERE
Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) “Back to Business” Webinars – HERE
CCIQ Business Support Webinars – HERE
……..
Australian Tourism Export Council – JobKeeper Payment PreRecorded Webinar (18 April 2020) |View recording
Fastrack – How to be Open When You’re Closed (8 April 2020) View recording
Australian Regional Tourism – What Tourism Businesses Can Do Right
Now to Navigate the COVID-19 Crisis (26 March 2020) – View recording

Members here to support you!

Connect Tourism (Tourism)
dtb! Advertising (Branding / Advertising)
Eazy Plan (Advertising)
EFEX (Technology)
Explore the Sunshine Coast (Advertising)
Family Friendly Carpet Cleaning
Gallagher (Insurance)
Hopscotch Consulting Group (Tourism)
MyGui (Technology)
Noosa Outback (Advertising)
Red Energy Promotions (Promotional Products)
Resly PMS (Technology)
The Shoosh Group (Resort Interior Design)
Triptick Tourism (Tourism)

VSC Industry Newsletter Archive

15 April – Click Here
8 April – Click Here
26 March – Click Here
23 March – Click Here
20 March – Click Here
17 March – Click Here

VSC Marketing Update

Our team at VSC is working behind the scenes on our marketing plans for the future so when the upturn of this crisis inevitably comes, we will be fully prepared. Right now this includes continuing to share inspirational destination imagery from across the Sunshine Coast on our social media pages to help plant the seed for future holiday plans, so when it is safe to travel again, the Sunshine Coast will be front of mind for visitors. This is complemented by our message to ‘#Visit Sunshine Coast Later’. It is encouraging to see visitors backing the initiative and pledging to visit or return to the Sunshine Coast again when it is safe to do so.